Hi all I have a problem with my new amp buzzing. I installed my 3 channel ADA1500 today. First off the amp buzzes by itself and when I attach the speakers it carries over to the speakers. I did not have this buzzing before (no ground loop problem).

I must mention that the amp is situated under the Pioneer Plasma as there was no room for it in the rack so I used some long RCA component cables I had to run from the NAD AVR to the amp. They are good quality cables from Blue Jeans. But I am wondering if this could be the problem as the buzzing is isolated to the front 3 speakers and not in any of the surrounds that are fed by the NAD AVR.

I have never used a dedicated amp before, do they usually make their own buzz with nothing else turned on? Also the speaker levels seem lower then they were prior but I have yet to re-calibrate.

Just wanted to get some insight before I call the Axiom Boys and maybe find a cause. I have done all the usual ground loop remedies and diagnoses.Any help would be appreciated.

I would guess a ground loop... my house has one and all of my outboard amps make a humming sound without groundloop isolators... This is one of the possible issues with outboard amps. Axiom has ground isolators for around 50$, and theirs are the ones i use at my house.

Hey John, Yes the amp has a buzz as soon as you turn the power on you can hear it coming right out of the unit. The speakers are attached but nothing else is powered up.I will call in the morning ...wait it is morning 1:19AM! !

I tried to watch a movie tonight and the buzz was way too annoying so I dismantled the unit from my system trucked it into another room where I have an older NAD receiver and some M80s that I got in 2004. Hooked it all in and ...no buzz from speakers and only a slight hum from amp. I have a DirecTV DVR in both rooms and that has been my focus of what the problem might be. So I trucked it back to the HT and hooked it in and hear we go loud buzzing again...not to draw this out any longer just for the hell of it I pulled the power cord on the back of the Oppo 95 which was not even turn on and the buzz quieted down 90% the amp itself still hums but this is not that noticeable.

At this point I feel a victory of some sort but now I have figure out whats going on with the Oppo. But its late I'm tired and so will still call Axiom techs tomorrow see if they have any answers as to why.

You should not hear it from your couch that is for sure though. I vote for calling axiom as well.

In my old house I had to use an axiom ground isolator on my cable feed. You mention direct tv but I thought ground loops from cable were more likely than dish? I guess this doesn't matter though as John's expert advice has indicated that is likely not the problem.

Also, when you get everything up and running post back with your impressions of the amp!

I have an update on my amp. Yesterday morning I completely isolated the amp from the house wiring by running a lead from my detached garage which is on separate power from the main lug. It still demonstrated the same problem. After disconnecting that and hooking back up I was going to start other diagnoses and I guess it up lost its voice as I had no sound at all coming from the speakers. I took it to my second system in another room and no sound there also.

I called Axiom and Brent and I discussed the issue and on my stating that the carton it arrived in was pretty banged up with rips and large holes he thinks it was grossly mishandled in shipping. He thinks it was badly jarred at some point. It was sent back today. Brent asked for and I emailed some pictures of the box damage. Hopefully he can get some reimbursement from UPS. I am sure it must have been insured. I patched the thing the best I could and took it to the UPS store and the guy there shook his head in disbelief at seeing the condition of the carton.

Axiom is sending another ADA1500 to me....too bad they don't use Fedex I have had better luck with them as far as not having damaged goods arriving.